Overseas Players Strengthen Pearls

Six international players joined the extended Fijian Pearls training squad who are currently in camp.

A few more are expected to join the squad next month as confirmed yesterday by Netball Fiji chief executive officer, Vivian Koster. The squad is preparing for the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, from July 28 to August 6.

Koster indicated that it was crucial for players to be in the country during their trials before they name the World Cup travelling team.

Pearls head coach Unaisi Rokoura is now assisted by New Zealand Coach of the Year Yvette McCausland-Durie as the Pearls specialist coach.

Adelaide Thunderbirds coach Cathy Fellows is also in the coaching panel.

“Right now six players have come into the country while there are other interests from overseasbased players.

“We will have another camp in February where players who aren’t able to make this January camp can come in for that. It’s really important for us to have people on the ground, so we can see them and also for them to gel with the local players. “I think the majority of the interests are from Australia, we do have interest from New Zealand and England to join us in February.”

Koster said the training squad would also be engaged in team bonding activities out of Suva. She added that a few players have withdrawn from the squad.

“Some local players have pulled out for a variety of reasons and we respect that.

“We got players who are continuing; they of course have to attend every camp – it’s an opportunity for them to learn of others and compete for places.

“According to World Netball rules we have to name a preliminary squad by the end of April – May. Then our final listing much later in the year will be closer to the event itself. This gives us a lot of time to really decide who will be going; we are going to test everyone out at the camp,” Koster said.

Meanwhile, the Pearls will have a camp in Wellington, New Zealand, in May, where they will continue their preparations with specialised training while also having an opportunity to watch the National Netball League Grand Final where the Pulse takes on MG Mystics.